Sediment collector with hopper assembly

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing sediment from a waterway includes a collector housing dimensioned for receipt in the waterway having an opening that receives water and sediment therethrough. A sediment removal passage in the housing selectively communicates with the opening and a valve is interposed between the opening and removal passage to control the communication. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is a flap or check valve that is normally open and, once sediment has been pumped down, moves to a closed position. This allows the suction force to be applied to the remaining portions of the collector having sediment. Preferably, the hoppers are replaceable inserts made of a durable, wear-resistant material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method of removing sediment from a waterway. More particularly, this invention relates to a replaceable hopper assembly and a method of regulating removal of sediment from the waterway. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention finds application in related environments, for example in a dry creek bed that experiences periodic flow laden with sediment.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,733, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, relates to a sediment collector that provides a simple, economical structure effective in filtering and removing material (e.g., sediment) from a waterway, such as a river, stream, creek, irrigation channel, aqueduct, tidal pool, estuary pool, ocean, etc. Particularly, it discloses a collector that is typically installed on a bottom surface of the waterway. A leading or upstream end of the collector includes a sloping or tapering surface that compresses the water and the sediment as it moves up the ramp. At the apex, and/or trailing edge, of the collector are provided one or more openings that communicate with an interior cavity of the collector. A sediment removal passage or suction passage communicates with the cavity and receives the slurry of sediment, sand and other debris collected through the opening in the collector. This slurry material is preferably removed to a filter system that is typically mounted on the bank of the waterway. The filter system can use a suction force to the sediment removal passage and directs the sediment slurry through a filter where the water is separated from the sediment and then clean, filtered water returned to the waterway. The filter system is typically operated on a periodic basis to remove the sediment that is gathered in the collector cavity.

[0003] Even though the collector is manufactured of a durable material such as metal or concrete, the collector is subject to the abrasive effects of sediment. Moreover, it is desirable to primarily pump off sediment or sand rather than drawing clean water through the suction passage. Thus, even though the pump or filter system only operates periodically, it is desirable that the pump operates at an improved efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a sediment collector that meets the above noted needs and others in a simple, effective, and economical manner.

[0005] Particularly, a collector used to remove sediment from a waterway includes a valve disposed in a collector cavity to provide selective communication between a collector opening and a sediment removal passage.

[0006] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a replaceable insert for receipt in a sediment collector. The insert includes a wear-resistant body dimensioned for receipt in the internal cavity of the collector between the opening and the sediment removal passage. A valve is provided in the body and regulates flow between the opening and sediment removal passage. When a predetermined amount of sediment resides in the cavity, the valve is further opened to assure that the sediment is drawn off during operation of the pump filtering system through the suction passage. Once the sediment is removed, the valve moves to a closed position thereby providing increased suction to adjacent hopper regions of the collector. If less than the predetermined amount of sediment is collected in a hopper, the valve closes so that increased suction is available to regions where it is needed.

[0007] A preferred method of removing sediment from a waterway according to the present invention includes the steps of receiving water and sediment into the collector through an opening and selectively regulating communication between the collector opening and the sediment removal passage.

[0008] One advantage of the invention resides in the ability to more effectively remove sediment from the collector.

[0009] Another advantage of the invention resides in the ability to provide increased suction where needed.

[0010] Still another advantage of the invention is found in the ability to provide a replaceable insert.

[0011] Yet another advantage relates to the improved efficiency of operation of the collector.

[0012] Other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a collector system associated with a waterway.

[0014]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a collector.

[0015]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a hopper assembly.

[0016]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an individual hopper.

[0017]FIG. 5 is an end view of the hopper of FIG. 4 with selected portions shown in cross-section.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative hopper assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a collector system 20 as used in a waterway 22 for selectively removing sediment therefrom. Although this view illustrates installation of the collector system in an aqueduct, the invention should not be so limited in its use and can be used in a wide variety of waterways where sediment removal is an issue as noted above. The collector system preferably includes one or more collectors 24 that are typically located along a base or bottom surface of the waterway and oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of water flow. The collectors are interconnected via connectors 26 and in this embodiment end blocks 28 at each end of the system to aid in locating and securing the collectors in place. Thus, it will be appreciated that a series of collectors can be connected together, e.g., daisy-chained, to extend across various widths of a waterway.

[0020] With continued reference to FIG. 1, and additional reference to FIG. 2, the collectors include a housing having a leading, sloping upper surface 36 that extends to an apex opening 38. In FIG. 2, the apex opening is covered by a coarse screen 40. A trailing surface 42 extends rearwardly and downwardly from the apex at a greater angle than the first surface 36. Although not shown, it is also contemplated that the trailing surface may include supplemental openings to capture additional sediment that does not enter the opening 38. The apex opening, and any supplemental openings, communicate with an internal cavity 44 divided into separate compartments 46 (FIG. 1). A sediment removal or suction passage 48 communicates with all of the compartments of the cavity and, in this embodiment, is connected to a dredge line 50 that extends from the collectors along the sidewall of the aqueduct to an ejector 52. Preferably, a protective cover 54 is provided over the dredge line 50 as it extends along the bank of the waterway. At the ejector, a pressurized line 54 from pressure pump 56 (e.g., two hundred gallons per minute at 100 psi) provides a venturi action in the ejector so that a suction force is provided to the dredge line 50 to draw the collected sediment from the cavity. Pressurized flow proceeds from the ejector through line 58 to a filter assembly 70. In this manner, sediment 72 is removed in the filter, and a clean water return line 74 proceeds toward the waterway. The pump 56 has its own intake line 76 submerged in the waterway and thereby provides the pressure flow to line 54 as required for the ejector to operate efficiently.

[0021] As more particularly shown in FIG. 3, each collector is divided into separate sections or hoppers. A hopper assembly 80 is provided for insertion into the cavity of a collector. Three hopper units 82 are shown interconnected in the assembly of FIG. 3, although a greater or lesser number of hopper units can be interconnected or used without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. The hopper assembly is preferably manufactured of a durable, wear-resistant material such as urethane and each hopper has a generally funnel or hopper shape that temporarily stores and transfers sediment from an enlarged upper end 84 adjacent the opening in the collector to a narrow, second end 86 of the hopper unit (FIG. 4). Tapered sidewalls 88 provide a funneling action in the upper portion of each hopper. In addition, tapering dividers 90 provided along an intermediate region, again, direct the sediment toward the base portion 86. One or more valves 92, shown here as flapper or check valves, regulate the flow of sediment and water from the upper portion 84 to the lower portion 86 of the hopper unit.

[0022] As more particularly represented in FIG. 5, each valve 92 is normally open. Each valve 92 is preferably defined by a pivoting member 94 in a first or upper end 96. A second or free end 98 of the valve is adapted for sliding engagement with surface 100 of the urethane insert. The normally open position of the valve is shown in solid line, i.e., the valve is partly open relative to valve seat 102. The valve seat is a terminal edge of one of the tapered walls 88 opposite the valve assembly. Alternate positions of the valve are also shown in broken or dotted line. The left-hand position illustrates the valve in a closed position. As will become more apparent below, the valve is closed when suction in the sediment removal passage urges the valve to a fully closed position, i.e., the valve member 94 engages the valve seat 102. In the closed position, communication between the upper and lower portions of the hopper is precluded, and thus communication between the apex opening 38 and the sediment removal passage 48 is likewise precluded. The right-hand dotted line representation illustrates a full open position of the valve member 94. This occurs when a substantial amount of sediment is fed between the tapering sidewalls 88 of the hopper assembly and the sediment presses on the valve member adjacent the hinge portion thereby urging it to a full open position.

[0023] As will be appreciated, sediment enters into the collector by passing through the screen 40 that covers the apex opening 38. The sediment is in a slurry form and the sediment settles into the cavity of the collector and, more particularly, the upper chamber 84 of the hopper. The tapering sidewalls and tapering dividers 90 of the hopper direct the settling sediment toward the individual valves 92. When suction force is applied to the sediment removal passage 48, any sediment that has passed through the normally open valve and collected over the sediment removal passage is then withdrawn. Likewise, any additional sediment that has built up and resides in the hopper above the valve will urge the valve toward an open position where it can communicate with the sediment removal passage. Once the sediment has been pumped down, i.e., drawn off through the passage 48, the suction force will urge the individual valves toward a closed position. In this manner, the pump does not continue to draw primarily water through the dredge line.

[0024] As will be appreciated, when the pump is periodically operated to draw the sediment through the dredge line to the filter, one or more of the valves may not have much sediment in that region of the collector. Consequently, the valve is urged to a closed position so that additional suction can be provided to other open valves where sediment is present. This provides for a more efficient operation and directs the suction force to those regions of the collector where it is needed most. Ideally, the pump runs for a time sufficient to draw down all of the sediment and remove it through passage 48 during the on-cycle of the pump. Alternatively, if all of the sediment is removed, or if no sediment is present, the valves will individually close and the pump will not unnecessarily pump water and will be shut down.

[0025]FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of a valve in which first and second valve members 104 are provided. Again, the valves are shown in a normally open position and dotted line representations of the left-hand valve represent fully closed and fully open positions. In essence, the valve members 104 a, 104 b are mirror image structures that regulate communication between the hopper cavity 84 and the lower portion 86 that communicates with the sediment removal passage. Here, the valve seats 106 a, 106 b are provided in the divider portion 90′. Once suction is provided through the passage and the sediment has been removed, openings 108 are thereby closed since the sediment no longer holds the valve in an open position.

[0026] Ideally, the valves closest to the pump will be provided with greater suction and a progressive closing action occurs from one valve to another if each were provided with the same amount of sediment. Since the sediment varies over the collector system, the timed operation of the pump should be of sufficient duration to assure that the sediment is adequately removed. It will also be appreciated that a sensor could be provided to signal when the pump should be operated. For example, the sensor could be responsive to movement of the valve to toward a full open position to actuate the pump in addition to, or as an alternative to, the timed operation of the pump.

[0027] It will be further appreciated that the valve can adopt a wide variety of other configurations than the illustrated flap valve, and need not be necessarily formed from a urethane material. Other suitable wear resistant materials that have sufficient durability for use in a sediment collector could be used with equal success to form the hopper body or the valve. Likewise, the collector may adopt different configurations than that illustrated in FIG. 2, to conform to differently contoured collector cavities. Use of a replaceable insert in different types of collectors, therefore, should be deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0028] It is also contemplated that the hopper body may, in some instances, be used without being inserted into a housing. That is, the hopper 80 can be used as a stand alone unit by modifying the body to include integral housing portions. For example, housing portions may include a first or leading surface or ramp portion 22′ and a second or trailing surface 24′ integrally molded into the body of the hopper (FIG. 6). The surfaces 22′, 24′ operate in the same manner as the surfaces of the collector described above so that sediment reaches the upper opening of cavity 84′ of the hopper, selectively passes through the valve, and the lower portion 86′ serves as the sediment removal passage where the sediment, sand, debris, etc. is effectively removed from the waterway. In this manner, the hopper is inserted into the waterway without the need for a separate housing, i.e., the hopper body is the housing. In substantially all other respects, the stand alone hopper operates in the same manner as the collector that incorporates a replaceable hopper.

[0029] In operation, the present invention provides a method of selectively regulating communication between the collector opening and the sediment discharge passage. The valves spaced along the length of the individual collectors in base portions of the hoppers provide a collector system that is efficient and effective at removing sediment from a waterway. The apparatus provides a method of enhancing sediment removal to selected portions of the collector, and allows for ease of repair by providing a replaceable insert that has wear resistant properties.

[0030] The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
 1. A sediment collector used to remove sediment from a waterway, the collector comprising: a housing dimensioned for receipt in an associated waterway; an opening in the housing dimensioned to receive water and sediment therethrough; a sediment removal passage in the housing; a valve disposed in the cavity providing selective communication between the opening and the removal passage.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the valve opens in response to a predetermined amount of sediment.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the valve is normally, partially open and closes once the sediment is pumped off to preclude communication between the opening and the removal passage.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the valve is a check valve that selectively opens in response to a predetermined amount of sediment.
 5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a pump communicating with the removal passage for removing sediment from the collector.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the pump is periodically operated.
 7. The invention of claim 5 wherein the pump is periodically operated in response to the valve opening a predetermined amount.
 8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising discrete hoppers spaced in the housing.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein each hopper includes a valve interposed between the opening and the removal passage whereby a pump operatively associated with the removal passage pumps reduced quantities of water once a selected valve is closed.
 10. The invention of claim 8 wherein the hoppers included sloped sidewalls for funneling sediment toward the removal passage.
 11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the hoppers include multiple valves disposed therein that selectively close once sediment is removed from a selected valve, and suction from a pump operatively associated with the removal passage is increased to the remaining valves.
 12. A method of removing sediment from a waterway using a housing having an opening and a sediment removal passage, the method comprising the steps of: receiving water and sediment into the housing through the opening; and selectively regulating communication between the housing opening and the removal passage.
 13. The method of claim 12 including the step of removing sediment from the housing along only selected portions thereof.
 14. The method of claim 12 comprising the step of providing a valve between the opening and the removal passage.
 15. The method of claim 12 comprising the step of providing multiple valves spaced along the housing, selected valves closing once sediment has been removed therefrom whereby additional suction is provided to the remaining open valves.
 16. The method of claim 12 comprising the further step of providing a replaceable wear resistant insert in the collector between the opening and the removal passage.
 17. An insert for receipt in a sediment collector that includes a housing having an opening communicating with an internal cavity for receiving sediment from a waterway that is conveyed to a sediment removal passage, the insert comprising: a wear resistant body dimensioned for receipt in an associated internal cavity of a collector between an opening and sediment removal passage, the wear resistant body including a valve having a first portion secured to the body and a second portion that is selectively movable toward an open position in response to a predetermined amount of sediment received thereon and toward a closed position once the sediment falls below the predetermined amount.
 18. The insert of claim 17 wherein the body includes a narrowing region adjacent the flapper valve for regulating sediment flow between the opening and sediment removal passage.
 19. The insert of claim 18 wherein the narrowing passage includes multiple valves disposed in spaced relation.
 20. The insert of claim 19 wherein the body includes a first portion having an enlarged opening that funnels sediment toward the narrowing passage and a region downstream thereof dimensioned to receive the associated sediment removal passage. 